ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Gameplay Programmer Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Wand

Senior Backend Engineer

Chicago, IL · Remote

$150K - $250K/yr

Wand makes gaming magical. Through game customization and guidance, we build tools that helps ... You'll partner closely with our Head of Engineering and the application teams who build on top of ...

Lnw

Senior Advanced Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$150K - $172K/yr

Gaming: Welcome to the world of land-based gaming. At Light & Wonder, it's all about the games, and ... Job Summary As a Senior Advanced Software Engineer at Light & Wonder, you will be a key contributor ...

GN Group

Lead Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$140 - $180/hr

SteelSeries is the original esports brand at the intersection of gaming and culture, celebrating ... As a Lead Software Engineer, you will be responsible for working closely with our hardware and ...

Lnw

Principal Software Architect

Chicago, IL

Define and drive architectural strategy supporting the migration from legacy game technology stacks to the Carbon platform. * Establish enterprise-wide engineering standards, architectural patterns ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsGameplay Programmer JobsGameplay Programmer Jobs in Elgin, IL

Gameplay Programmer information

See Elgin, IL salary details

$95.4K

$133.7K

$141.9K

How much do gameplay programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for gameplay programmer in Elgin, IL is $133,678.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,500.00 and $141,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Gameplay Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectGameplay ProgrammerGame Developer
Primary FocusImplementing gameplay features, mechanics, and systemsDesigning, developing, and managing entire game projects
Skills & CredentialsProgramming skills, understanding of game engines, scriptingProgramming, design, project management, often with broader skill set
Work EnvironmentTypically within a development team, focused on coding and implementationVaries from coding to design, often in larger teams or studios

While both roles involve programming, Gameplay Programmers specialize in creating and implementing gameplay mechanics, whereas Game Developers oversee broader aspects of game creation, including design and project management. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the gaming industry.

What is a gameplay programmer?

A gameplay programmer helps develop, document, test, and debug online or mobile game systems. Responsibilities include writing code with scripting languages such as C++, JavaScript, HTML, and Python; looking for ways to modify code; implementing functionalities such as controls, AI, and NPC behaviors within an established framework; and fixing design issues. They must communicate and work closely with other programmers to provide technical and creative feedback and meet project goals. Qualifications to become a gameplay programmer include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a similar field and fluency in programming languages.

What does a gameplay programmer do?

A Gameplay Programmer is responsible for implementing the interactive elements of a video game, such as character controls, game rules, and mechanics. They work closely with designers and artists to turn creative concepts into playable features, ensuring that gameplay is both fun and functional. Their tasks often include writing code for player actions, AI behavior, and in-game systems, as well as debugging and optimizing game performance. Gameplay Programmers play a crucial role in shaping the overall experience and feel of a game.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gameplay programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gameplay Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like C++ or C#, and experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine. Familiarity with version control systems, debugging tools, and, in some cases, relevant certifications in game development is also valuable. Creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial soft skills for collaborating with designers and artists to bring game mechanics to life. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, efficient, and high-quality gameplay experiences that meet both technical and creative goals.

How does a gameplay programmer typically collaborate with designers and artists during game development?

Gameplay programmers work closely with designers to translate creative concepts into interactive mechanics, implementing features such as controls, rules, and character abilities. They also collaborate with artists to ensure animations, visual effects, and assets integrate smoothly with the codebase. Regular communication, prototyping, and iterative testing are crucial, as gameplay programmers often participate in multidisciplinary meetings and provide technical feedback to refine the player experience. This dynamic teamwork helps ensure that gameplay elements are both fun and technically feasible.
More about Gameplay Programmer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Gameplay Programmer jobs in Elgin, IL? For Gameplay Programmer jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Gameplay Programmer jobs in Elgin, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Gameplay Programmer jobs in Elgin, IL are:
Gameplay Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gameplay Programmer job openings in Elgin, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,678 per year, or $64.3 per hour.

Senior Advanced Software Engineer

Light and Wonder, Inc.

Chicago, IL • On-site

$150K - $172K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Light & Wonder rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 15 rated gambling companies

Job description

Gaming:
Welcome to the world of land-based gaming. At Light & Wonder, it's all about the games, and our Gaming team builds cutting-edge technology, products, and content for the most iconic casinos and operators across the globe.
Position Summary
The Mission
Drive innovation and quality in slot game development through expert-level software engineering.
Job Summary
As a Senior Advanced Software Engineer at Light & Wonder, you will be a key contributor within a collaborative, global engineering team focused on delivering robust, innovative technology solutions. These solutions support both internal systems and customer-facing products. In this role, you will be responsible for the testing, integration, and validation of software applications, ensuring they meet functional, technical, and regulatory standards.
Outcomes
  • Deliver robust and scalable slot game software.
  • Lead technical initiatives and mentor junior engineers.
  • Ensure compliance with platform standards.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes.

Essential Job Functions
  • Design, develop, test, and maintain slot game software.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement features.
  • Ensure software quality through code reviews and testing.
  • Provide technical guidance and support.
  • Document software designs and processes.
  • Stay current with industry trends and technologies.
  • Any other duties assigned.

The targeted pay range for this role is $150,000- $172,000. The total compensation package for this position may also include applicable incentive compensation, such as an annual performance bonus. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, specific work geography, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
As a member of the L&W team, you will be eligible for company sponsored benefits that include healthcare, dental, vision, paid time off, a generous 401(k) plan, tuition assistance, and much more.
Qualifications
Training and/or Experience
  • 10+ years of professional software development experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field.
  • Experience in gaming industry preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Expert in C++ and/or C#.
  • Knowledge of Godot and other game engines.
  • Exposure to Windows and Linux platforms and video drivers.
  • Strong understanding of game development frameworks.
  • Proficient with debugging and profiling tools.
  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
  • Ability to lead and mentor team members.

Additional Information
This is a hybrid role based in our Chicago studio. Team members are expected to be in the office 4 days a week to support collaboration and studio culture.
Physical Requirement
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, use hands, operate a computer, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer and business equipment.
Work Conditions
The work conditions are representative and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations.
Light & Wonder and its affiliates (collectively, L&W) are engaged in highly regulated gaming businesses. As a result, certain L&W employees may, among other things, be required to obtain a gaming or other license(s), undergo background investigations or security checks, or meet certain standards dictated by law, regulation or contracts.
In order to ensure L&W complies with its regulatory and contractual commitments, as a condition to hiring and continuing to employ its employees, L&W requires all of its employees to meet those requirements that are necessary to fulfill their individual roles. As a prerequisite to employment with L&W (to the extent permitted by law), you shall be asked to consent to L&W conducting a due diligence/background investigation on you.
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.
#RA-LI
#RA-Hybrid
Light & Wonder is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. If you'd like more information about your equal employment opportunity rights as an applicant under the law, please click here for EEOC Poster.

What Light & Wonder employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply